Joseph AddisonChristineLaurenTeddyHeatherGenestGibsonGregsonMcClellanStoddardWheeler
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Editor-in-Chief Christine Erickson Managing Editor Meredith Rigsby PublicAdvertising/Relations Sarah Rodriguez Business Manager Lauren Katchuk Arts & Culture Jaime Barnett Film & Literature Gene CharlesStromanPeck Visual Staff Heather Gibson Rachel Maves
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Now that the holidays have worn your excitement about winter, you’re probably swimming in papers, debating showering over extra minutes of sleep, and avoiding the bitter, dreary out Ordoors.maybe that’s just me. But let’s face it, this time of year is pretty Hibernatingbrutal.sounds like a good idea when you have your bed, and snacks and Netflix. But just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you should shut yourself out. In this issue, you’ll find what students accomplish when they band together, whether through sports, protest, or art. Not sure where to start? You’re not alone; find out how to balance and conquer. For those who still prefer holing up in your bedroom, learn how to bring a bit of green to you. (note: you might have to go out side sooner or later to get the materials.)
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Of course, if you decide reading this magazine in bed is the best option, well, I can’t say I blame you. However you get through the next couple months, just know Punxsutawney Phil’s got your back this year; you can thank a groundhog for deciding to give us a small amount of suffering. Good luck with the remainder of winter. Spring is around the corner, hang in there! 2
Staff
Guest Contributors
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Letter from the Editor Dominic Butchello Hannah MarleighSwannCulver Mark Jeffries Fashion Isabella Althoff Cassie Mulheron
Lanvi MollyChristiNguyenAddisonSpell
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Discussion-based groups The Bookworms of VCU and Cin emaTalk give their top choices.
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4 The Power of Name Dating back to Norse mythol ogy, nicknaming rituals have been a part of initiation into community. VCU’s rugby team draws some parallels from ancient myth. 6 Prepare For Battle We may still be undefeated, but have you ever thought what it’d really be like if we had a football team?
22 Film and Literature Review
19 Feartured Musician: White Laces This psychedelic noise band packs a loud punch that’s been touring the east coast.
Richmond’s public transit is en vironmentally friendly and can get you out of town without even needing a car.
18 Wearing Cinderella Slippers to Work College students when strapped for cash will do some absurd jobs, but this might be one of the strangest
8 GRTC Routes
24 Fashion: Knit-orious These knits will make you look far from frumpy.
20 Featured Artist: Lanvi Nguyen Her long exposure photog raphy is not only visually stunning, it’s got a very cool concept behind it too.
Our financial and political state may be defining the culture of art as a whole. 12 Preaching to the Compass Religion might be most widely addressed in the Compass, but preachers aren’t the only ones taking advantage of the hightraffic area.
Ink Magaz I ne Contact us! VCU Student Media Center 817 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23220 804.828.1058 (Receptionist) inkmagazine.tumblr.cominkmagazine.vcu@gmail.com
DIY: What is a Terrarium? These scaled-down eco systems will add a touch of green to remind you spring is just around the corner! 16 When You’re Strange Vegetarian lunch spot by day, music venue by night- this local hotspot is thriving in a building notorious for ill-fat ed businesses.
9 College Game of LIFE Incase it wasn’t already bla tantly obvious, college is a hard. Learn how to play the game and win! campus life contemporary issues arts & culture 10 Art On A Budget
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by CHRISTINE STODDARD Illustration by Marleigh Culver That is the third time you've heard the alarm clock ring this morning. Or maybe that was your car alarm? Remember you parked it out on the street instead of in the garage because there were no spots left at 2 a.m.?You roll out of bed wearing your work uniform from the day before, take a two minute shower, and shove a slice of old pizza down your throat. “Mildly refreshed” would have described your bodily state a week ago—the last time you took a full-on, scrub everywhere type shower. Now you need to find the keys you borrowed from your roommate because you lost your set at a party and can't afford to buy a replacement, so now the two of you have calculated this bizarrely mathematical trade-off to ensure that neither of you ends up locked-out. Also remember to bring in your pay-as-yougo cellphone in case the loan sharks call again. Oh, and don't forget to pack thirty pounds of textbooks and half-completed homework into your secondhand backpack. Class, of course, started fifteen minutes ago.Overwhelmed yet? Congrats! You're playing the Game of Public University Life... and losing. Like many. Like most. Heck, like almost every single one of us. How are we supposed to graduate with a “marketable” double-major and minor, debt-free, in four years without failing to take care ourselves? How are we supposed to have close friends, pursue romantic relationships, and spend time with our families? And what about making time to explore Richmond while we're still in this city?The answer is simple: we don't. The wiser of us compromise. Octopi may have eight arms, but they know better than to grab everything at once. Choose one major, or graduate late if earning more than one major really matters to Shopyou.at thrift stores. Buy your groceries with specific meals in mind so you eat healthier foods. Look for an additional roommate to cut down on rent. Judge where a relationship's headed early on and ask if that's where you want it to go. ResearchCarpool. internships to see which companies will give you the most relevant Thereexperience.aremany ways to win this game— and it doesn't have to involve wearing dirty socks.
I’m sure you’ve all heard why we should be environmentally conscious and go “green”. Going green is important because we can reduce pollution, preserve natural resources, and reverse climate change. Not to mention we have the chance to ensure a better future for our children. But why should you care? VCU is a part of the city and this type of atmosphere produces more pollution because of factories and vehicles. So we need to work towards reducing our carbon footprint and turn to environmentally friendly transportation. The best aspect about this solution is that it’s easy and everyone can contribute to making the planet a better place for us all. There are already a lot of students at VCU who ride their bicycles and walk to various places on campus. However, students might not realize that the GRTC buses can take you almost anywhere around Richmond. Not only does riding the bus save you gas money or a lengthy walk but it can also help the environment because each individual won’t be emitting carbon dioxide by driving his or her car. GRTC buses run in Richmond, Henrico County, and even out to a small area of Chesterfield County. If you’re looking to travel to Fredericksburg or Petersburg you’re in luck because there are two extended express routes that service those areas. According to the VCU Business Services 2008-2009 Commuter Survey Results approximately 5.9 percent of students use public transportation as means to get around the city. That statistic Bus Routes
campus life GRTC
ink 5 seems low considering that VCU has about 33,000 students but the good news is that we can increase our efforts to use environmentally friendly transportation. So now that you’re aware of why walking, riding your bicycle, and using public transportation is beneficial, what’s the next step? Well for starters you can pick up your GRTC bus pass and contribute to the efforts made by VCU to go green. Students have the opportunity to use GRTC buses for free and any opportunity to save money is a good one. All you need to do is visit the GRTC office, CVS pharmacy, or Kroger to get your bus pass. As college students our funds might be limited so choosing to walk, bike, or ride the bus is ultimately a win-win situation because you’re helping the environment and keeping your wallet full. I understand that for some students it seems easier to just get in your car and drive to your desired location. With that being said I know that we can’t switch to being environmentally conscious overnight. However, if everyone starts making small changes like walking to a friend’s house instead of driving, eventually these changes will become a habit. You probably know that it’s important to go green but taking the initiative to do so is what really matters. You have the opportunity to make a difference therefore the choice is yours.
by DANIELLE HARVEY Graphics by Dominic Butchello
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“God, I feel terrible” is my first thought as I scramble to the bathroom for water. I pop a vitamin and check the time: 10:36 a.m., “great, time to start drinking in 20 minutes”. Last night was kind of crazy. We have a game against JMU today, and as our biggest football rival, we needed to throw down extra hard last night. As long as I’ve gone to school here, the game against has been the biggest. Every year, everyone crowds to Oregon Hill in a disorderly fashion for block parties. It’s like our own little Mardi Gras. Since Oregon Hill is out of VCU Police jurisdiction, and the Richmond Police have actual crimes to solve, things are usually regulated in a self-civilized fashion, with few police on horses to make sure no fights break out. It’s kind of nice being treated like an adult. I get a call from my boy to come down to the tailgate. I grab my backpack and throw my solo cups and handle of captain in my bag: it’s time for someThefootball.citylooks obsolete as the backdrop to a sea of black and gold fans. Like soldiers going to war, everyone is decked out in their colors, ready for battle. The greatest part of it all is, no matter if they are old or young, tall or short, black or white- if they’re in black and gold, you’re cool with them, and they’re cool with you. Greeted by fellow fans along the way, I arrive to tailgate with a smile on my face as friends embrace me. Music blares as we bash the opponent, exchange banter and cheer with fans, talk about tonight’s plans and the excessive parties that will ensue this evening. Stats are spewed, prospects for next year are deliberated- all in all, this conversation can be seen to some as monotonous, mindless blabber that comes with every game. To others, it is a language shared by academia and common folk alike. It’s kind of a beautiful thing, this common ground between the two. Not just shared every Saturday, but that simple “How ‘bout them Rams’ last weekend?” chipped out between the 40 year old bagging groceries and the dean. The atmosphere hasn’t always been this nice though. My freshman year, when we first started playing, showed a lot of controversy. Protestors were the first thing. Being built behind Cary St. Gym, next to the expressway, took a lot of lowincome housing and residents did not take too kindly to VCU gentrifying their neighborhood. The next issue came with tailgating. The first game, VCU police rode on their horses and gave out underage possession of alcohol citations like bible study pamphlets in the compass. Alumni who just want to share a drink with their son were on the horn about the uncertain future of donating to the university. Needless to say, what happened in the stadium lot before the next game stayed in the stadium lot. The third issue was with the athletes. It has always been known that certain athletes receive extra privilege from a school, but when it comes to bringing in top recruits to a new program, the methodology of “weighting” their GPA is questionable.Afterarocky start, the team has assimilated into our school as if it has always been here. Considering our mid major city doesn’t really have much to claim to a sports team, the city embraced the Rams rather quickly. Richmond quickly became a football town. Traffic has been jammed every game day since the team was established. The city even donated millions to expand the stadium because of the growing popularity. Rumor has it that the fan base is getting so large, VCU is in consideration to be upgraded to an FBS school.The packed stadium delivers a thunderous roar of cheer as “Black and Yellow” blares from the loudspeakers and the team stampedes onto the field. The coolest thing about the stadium has to be the south end zone. The student section, designed almost as a wall hovering over the field that without fail, delivers a slight distraction to the other teams kickers. There is something numbing about being a part of a large crowd of thousands, a small cell to a large organism. You can’t really explain that feeling inside during every cheer on third down. Or when we score, you just know it, and you know everyone else is feeling it too. We ended up crushing JMU 45-10, with our cookie cutter Mike Vick quarterback rushing for 150 yards and throwing for 246 and 4 touchdowns, not too shabby. Pretty much anywhere the football players go in town, they get treated like royalty, and rightfully so. What brings in more money, our star running back or your good grades? (It’s a rhetorical question). Regardless, a postgame victory always brings a great night.Iheaded back to a friend’s for postgame celebratory drinks (I’m beginning to see how alcoholism develops). We hail to the victor, reminiscing over great plays, bad calls, and amateur predictions of the remainder of the season. Football is really 65% of conversation at these sorts of events. That, and what victory party we’re going to tonight. The bars are usually packed with fans to witness other CAA teams compete as drunken praise and banter is echoed through the downtown streets over who we’ll see in the playoffs. Parties are a little less suffocating from the game. The most intriguing feature of victory parties is who you’ll meet. People travel far (and I mean FAR) to see friends for games. How do you think JMU got their party school reputation? Word of mouth, it’s the beauty of football season. I don’t think I could see VCU any other way. Yeah, you could see it as an infectious enculturation masking the “true” culture of VCU, but a football team really is like anything else, you can be as involved as you want. And well yes, I caved freshman year to the glamour of Super Saturdays. But I can’t say I regret it. Monday through Friday, it’s work, and not just school, but being involved in everything else too. A little omnipresent entertainment can be healthy- not just for VCU, but Richmond as well. Some new discovery in counting genomes is great, but is it really casual talk between you and the guy changing your oil? Football is more than an event on Saturday, but rather a continuous realm of tradition, spread from generation to generation like folklore. It is that unspoken communal feeling that only a sports fan knows. Because no matter if you go to VCU or not, you’re a part of something, and that thing, whether it be a casual trip to the stadium on Saturday or engulfing your entire weekend, is the fabric of true spirit.
campus life ink 7 by JOSEPH GENEST Illustration by Hannah Swann
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The oldest written source of ancient Norse mythology and Germanic lore, the Poetic Edda, tells the story of Gullveig the witch, who was burned alive three times and skewered like a shish kebab by a pantheon of Norse gods. For decades, historians assumed that Gullveig was tortured as punishment. Her name takes its root from the Old Norse word for gold, which led many to believe that perhaps she was too greedy and needed to be taught a lesson—albeit a rather harsh one. But a simple morality tale is not in keeping with the Edda’s more prolific style. Modern experts dug deeper, and uncovered that Gullveig’s name actually means “gold brew,” suggesting that she is an incarnation of the goddess Freya, who serves magical golden mead in the Norse afterlife.Thus, the story of Gullveig’s burning is actually a rendition of Freya’s initiation in the Norse pantheon. Freya is a goddess of fate and magic. She is very wise and she knows witchcraft. Odin, seeking to benefit from her talents, tries to immerse her into his tribe by putting her through an initiation ritual. Freya, in the form of Gullveig the witch, overcomes death by surviving her various burnings and stabbings. She becomes an Ritualsimmortal.like this one exist in many mythologies and traditions. Experts call them “Pagan Shamanistic Initiation Rituals.” For the god or hero performing them, the transformation involves death, resurrection and restoration. A new name is given, along with a new role in society. Gullveig becomes Freya, a goddess of the Aesir. For humans performing a ritual, the death, resurrection and restoration are all metaphorical. Often, initiation rituals involve a young person’s introduction to the community and into adulthood through a series of tests. Young women might be initiated into a community of Norse witches by reenacting the trials of Freya. In some Native American tribes, a “Man Dance” was performed. Boys of a certain age were strung up and hit with sticks until they passed out. Once recovered, the boys were reintroduced as men, for they had overcome death. They earned a new place in their society and a new name. Religion and mythology experts are quick to point out that most modern societies lack these sorts of coming of age rituals. In the published transcript of their discussions, The Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers lament that the young people of today have “no notion of having to give of themselves in order to achieve something.” They lack the instruction once provided by myth. While this is certainly true to an extent— most young people are not willing to be beaten with poles or set on fire—the remnants of these ancient induction rituals still exist. College sports provide an intriguing example. The VCU women’s and men’s rugby teams both award nicknames to new members, an act that is reminiscent as part of an induction ritual.
Young men and women, on the cusp of adulthood, give of themselves and please a council of veterans. He or she is then inducted into the team as an equal, and given a new name and a new role within that micro-community.
Sometimes, of course, the nicknames created out of necessity or practicality. “The coach we had last year, Coach Vinnie, needed some way to remember everyone, so he just looked at [a player] and pulled out a characteristic about them. We had an Austin on the team that looked like Mike Meyers. So his name is Austin Powers,” saysTheSolberg.women’s rugby team has a similar system. “People on the team get their nicknames in different ways. Some nicknames are actually just shortened versions of first names or last names,” says Team Captain Dominic Reynolds. “Other nicknames are given for unique physical attributes.”However, many of the nicknames “are given for impressive feats out on the pitch,” continues Reynolds. The team’s toughest player is nicknamed “Killer” because she “displayed outstanding intensity during games.”Similarly, the VCU men’s rugby team began referring to one of its members as “Brutal Todd,” for his ability to work himself into a frenzy upon entering the pitch. Before schools began cracking down on hazing in the late ‘90s, it is possible that collegiate sports like rugby had additional rituals surrounding new member induction. On some teams, new players once performed “Zulus”, where he or she ran stark naked around the pitch after completing his or her first try (goal). Although the metaphorical death, resurrection and restoration are less prominent than in the trials once performed by Norse witches, the VCU rugby teams manage to nail the basics.
MAVES
Travis Solberg, a veteran men’s rugby team member, explains that players are awarded a nickname when “they do something stupid”—or rather, when they perform an action that is considered memorable and/ or humorous to the other players. Nick Lynn was given the nickname “Alpo” after he consumed an ALPO dog food sandwich.
campus life ink 9 by MARI IllustrationPACKbyRACHEL
Rarely, a player may even be awarded a second nickname if he manages to outlive, outperform or out-stupid the first.
With the current trend of budget cuts, we might see a pretty ugly world in the near future, and it’s sad to wonder how much better it could be if the kids being deprived of an art program right now were be able to access it. Maybe there is something we can do to change things, maybe not; but it definitely wouldn’t hurt if we voiced our thoughts more and let people know that we will not be left behind.
Defining Our Culture
Virginia Commonwealth University faces “a $40 million budget gap over the next two years caused primarily by the loss of federal stimulus funding and continued reductions in state funding,” and by next year, “VCU will have lost about one-third of state support for instruction than it had in 2008.” Additionally unhelpful to school systems are mandated tests imposed by No Child Left Behind, which requires testing in math, reading, and science with the threat of cutting funds upon failure to meet certain scores, further encouraging schools to neglect their art programs. But for many who love and appreciate art, it is the very reason we wake up in the morning, and we can’t live without it. So we must defend it. Insightful data collected by distinguished universities emphasize the importance of art in academics. In 1983 Harvard University Professor Howard Gardner introduced the now widelyaccepted theory of ‘multiple intelligences.’ Gardner says there are at least eight forms of intelligences: language, logic, musical, spatial, bodily, naturalist, intrapersonal and interpersonal. According to Gardner, “A good educational system ought to nourish and nurture the range of intelligences,” which include several featured in the arts.
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Also, in 1997 the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies published the results of a national arts study that revealed a positive relationship between standardized test scores, English grades, and other educational methods. Students in eighth and 10th grade who were considered highly involved in the arts consistently scored higher than those with minimal exposure to the arts (Art Education).Butwe really don’t have to squint to know the importance of the arts: many enlightening inventions and discoveries started with small sketches, from Galileo’s sketches of the solar system to Thomas Edison’s incandescent light bulb. Would they have been able to develop their curiosities without first being able to visually map them out? And how do we build an airplane today? Well, the first step would naturally be to draw it. Art is a way to visually articulate our ideas; it should not be regarded as senseless or unnecessary no matter magnitude of economic downfall. All artists have different intentions with their work, but ultimately we want to add beauty and inspiration to the world that is an inherent part of pushing the human race forward.
That is quickly overlooked when people try to cut things down to the “essentials.”
Heather Gibson As artists we are often engaged in our own personal endeavors and sometimes don’t stop to zoom out and observe our culture’s art as a whole. How much is our art defined by the financial and political state of the world we’re living in? In Art History class you learn that the quality of art in city-states largely depended on wealth and political soundness, such as the blossoming of Greek art and literature during Athens’ reign as a maritime power, allotting construction of the Parthenon and what is still considered to be some of most profound literature in Western history. The reverse is also seen in the decline of Roman art and architecture under the egotistical and feckless emperor Commodus, whose only positive cultural contribution was the completion of the memorial column started by his father. After his reign the Roman Empire’s wealth shrunk and political chaos ensued; in response artistic style grew more cursory and confused, omitting any of the fine details found before in the classical realism and naturalism of Greek art. So how is this same concept applicable today? We hear about more and more schools slashing their art programs of all types, and it is becoming more arduous to gain outside financial support from those not in the creative field who may think art is a luxury and unnecessary under financial strain. According to our school’s Communication and Public Relations,
Art on a Budget:
Preaching to the Compass
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Lauren IllustrationMcClellanbyMarleigh
One well-known protestor among the many that come through the Compass is known as “Brother Ross.” This man usually is dressed in a suit with buttons on it that have such words as porn, homo, and sin struck out on them. He also carries around a Bible and what seems to be a gallon of water. He has been the subject of much heckling, notably from a guy with a ukulele who posted videos of him playing pop songs like Lady GaGa’s “Bad Romance” while Ross is preaching on the Internet. Ross started much controversy over his ways to tell if a woman is a lesbian, including such reasons as having short hair, watching Ellen DeGeneres, and playing on a female basketball team. As he rattled off his list, students shushed others who were screaming in order to hear each item in fake anticipation. Ross also mentioned his belief that a woman belongs in the kitchen. As he looked out through his crowd, with many females were in attendance, he said “I see a lot of empty kitchens.” This started much more screaming and yelling from the student body. Although Brother Ross attracted a lot of negative attention, he said, at one point, “I don’t want to offend anybody.”
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Culver Preachers. Silent protestors. Anarchists. Men with tall crosses. We see them in the Compass all the time… but do we know what they’re screaming (or silent) about?
If you have any classes near the Compass, then I would say you’ve seen many of the speakers that come to talk to VCU students as they’re passing by. They rant, they rave, and they attract attention. As opinionated as we are, sometimes students tend to rant and rave back. Some of these speakers are normal looking, wearing sweatshirts and jeans. No one really bothers them. People just gather around and listen. This past fall, there was one speaker on a stepstool looking over the crowd, preaching about eternal life and being Protestant. Students were perched atop the half walls outside Shafer, listening to him talk about religion. For as long as I was there, no one really challenged him. Another day, there was a man preaching from the Bible, carrying around a large cross as he spoke. He generated much more attention because of his walking Studentsstick.utilize the Compass for their own devices as well. The next day, there was a silent protest on the “free speech zone” over a parking lot that has been built over an old slave burial ground. Many students laid down on the Compass in protest over the parking lot. Some had poster boards lying over their bodies with quotes, such as Martin Luther King’s “Justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere.” Others walked around with signs that said things like, “If I died would you pave over me?” Although their protest was silent, the actions drew a lot of attention from the local news and even Gov. Bob McDonnell. On December 23, he asked for the parking lot to be transferred to the state by giving VCU $3.3 million in state funds.
For as long as I’ve been here at VCU (which isn’t long yet), Brother Ross has attracted the largest crowd of any outside protestor, as that day, if you really wanted to catch a glimpse of him, you had to push your way through many people as if you were at a small Sometimesconcert.thepeople in the Compass who are expressing their views are not lying down on the ground, being silent, or screaming so the whole area can hear them. Pamphlets and flyers are a popular way of communicating to passing students as well. One day, as I was walking to the library, I was handed a small flyer from a girl who looked to be about five years old. She had many other kids her age with her, and what looked to be two adults. I did not look at the flyer as I was in a hurry; I just said “thank you” and walked on. However, when I walked into the library, I took the flyer out of my pocket to see what the little girl—who I’m pretty sure should have been at school since it was only 10:30 AM on a weekday—had handed me. The flyer had information about sin and going to hell for those sins and many other things. I must pose the question; did the little girl who handed me that flyer truly understand what all of those words meant? Another form of pamphlet-protest was from a few college-age guys who handed out flyers about anarchy. They may have offended some, but no one screamed or shouted at them. As I walked through the Compass, some students engaged in passionate conversations about politics with these guys, but no one heckled them. Do these protestors really change our views? Do they get us thinking about the topics they rant about? Or do they just reaffirm our own beliefs? I know, for myself, I have learned one thing from these people in the Compass: the volume of the protestor’s voice has a direct relationship to the volume of the crowd’s voice.
Jaime
Terrarium DIY Barnett & culture
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What is a terrarium?
How to make your own
• A variety of glass containers or jars
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• Moss • Trinkets you wish to display; jewelry, deer figurines, photographs, etc. Tips Glass jars can be found at thrift stores for as cheap as a quarter! If displaying multiple containers, try using a variety of shapes and sizes.Moss can be found at craft stores such as Michaels in an array of colors...or your back yard.
Fill the jars with a shallow layer of rocks, followed by a layer of moss. Be sure to leave enough room for the items you will place inside and move things around if needed. I chose to put a found photograph in a larger jars, as well as a woodland scene with a miniature turtle in another. Craft stores have many interesting items to create scenes with, as well as a walk in the woods may provide just the right elements (such as twigs, rocks, leaves) to accompany your container. Wider jars may work well to hold your rings and precious jewels too!
A terrarium is usually an enclosed area or container for keeping and raising animals or plants for observation or research in controlled conditions. However, they don’t necessarily have to be a scaled down ecosystem but perahps just look like one to “liven” up your space!They are a great reminder that Spring will come during these cold winter months by adding a touch of green to your windowsill or mantle. The terrariums featured here have a rock base with dried moss to display keepsakes. There are many resources on the internet for properly creating and maintaining a live terrarium.
Supplies
• Rocks (or soil if you prefer a live one!)
Terrariums are a simple way to “go green” in any room of your home by providing a miniature yet ink
STRANGE MATTER
In today’s unstable economy, many independent businesses and venues that support the arts are struggling, creating an unfriendly environment for up-and-coming establishments. Strange Matter, however, is not only a recently opened vegan restaurant and venue, but one that is thriving against all odds. The concept seems strange at first, since even restaurants that serve carnivorous entrees are going out of business, and Richmond is infamous for failed venues that force shows into the personalized yet sometimes cliquey world of the house show. After enjoying a delicious, affordable vegan lunch or catching an awesome show at Strange Matter, however, it is clear why the business is thriving. The actual building is decorated from floor to ceiling with local art, the bar tenders are all friendly and always have great drink specials, and the food is decadent, crueltyfree, and affordable. The show atmosphere is also really inviting; the place is big and clean and the sound is great, but it’s just cramped and makeshift enough to feel like a good, old-fashioned independent show. To get more insight on how Strange Matter manages to be so on top of their game, I spoke with Mark Osborne, an employee who books most of the shows and is privy to the behind-the-scenes workings of this fine establishment.
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Addison Herron-Wheeler Photos by Christi Addison ink16 arts
I would like to see us continue to host awesome events, attract different people to Smatter, and make it a positive/fun place for people to spend the evening. We try to keep the quality up on all ends of the place, from the art to the games to the food to the entertainment. If you had to try and sum it up, what do you think Strange Matter’s philosophy would be in a sentence? What is their ultimate goal?
What are some of the best shows you have seen come through recently, and what are some in the future that you are excited about? My bookings lean towards metal and heavy rock, but I do switch it up from time to time. Some of my favorite shows to come through Strange Matter so far have been more.WinterCults,Jucifer,futurebandsGospel/CavesDrag/DiamondCough/BadCorpse/StreetTorche/CannabisPizza,TheBody/Dream,andMondoCenter/MainSt.Caverns.Coolcomingthroughinthetolookoutfor:WhiteHills,Weedeater,RadioMoscow,Obits,HeartofWinterFest,ApocalypseFest,andlots
I think what makes Smatter a success is that it is a very inviting space. Cheap/good food, our sound is improving more and more every month, all the video games are cheap, and the staff stays positive and friendly. I don’t think all the other businesses failed though. Of course, the illfated Bagel Czar, but just because they aren’t around doesn’t mean they failed. Smatter owes a debt of gratitude for those who set the precedent of 929 W Grace being an inviting punk club, and I think the scene’s familiarity with the space has a lot to do with why people are excited about returning. How do you go about booking shows there, and how easy is it to do? Are they very open to the idea of different styles of music being showcased there? Me and Eric do booking there, along with help from Bobby and Jen. We try to cater to different crowds, but of course we host what we are familiar with. We are open to anybody playing, so long as we can get a few people in the door and you have your act together. Simply send an email to youreminderjobsthemalwaysgetcomstrangematterbooking@gmail..Dobearinmindthatwealotofrequestsanddon’thavetimetorespondtoallbecauseweallhaveotheraswell.However,sendingusemailsisalwayshelpfulifdon’thearback.
In your opinion, what is it about Strange Matter that makes it a success? Other businesses in their location have failed, as well as other D.I.Y. restaurants and venues, but Strange Matter seems to be off to a more successful start.
Lots of us involved grew up seeing awesome shows and having great memories at 929 W Grace, so we want that option to still be around for the kids who need something like that now, and we enjoy being the ones who are making it happen. Venues tend to come and go in Richmond, but I think we have something good, and can only hope it’s the very beginning of something good. ink 17 arts & culture
What are your hopes for the future of Strange Matter? What are some things they are trying to do long-term, or that you would like to see happen?
Swann
The Life of a EntertainerChildren’s
Wearing Cinderella Slipper
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“Remembercharacter:whenIsaw you at Disney World, Cinderella, and you kissed me on the cheek?”
Christine IllustrationStoddardbyHannah
This particular adventure, like so many of mine, began with a flyer. Mind you, the flyer was not an unobtrusive one. Glaringly hot pink, it demanded I answer the question, “Do you like to have fun?” Duh, I like to have fun. I read further and realized it was a call for children’s entertainers. My crazy spirit grinned. A freelancer and serial intern since my sophomore year of high school, I have never held a “normal” teen/young adult job. The opportunity to wait tables or fold sweatshirts at K-mart just never fell in my lap. Somehow quirkier gigs did, this one included. On top of writer, cartoonist, illustrator, haunted house actor, photo editor, gallery assistant, model, art educator, and puppetteer, why not add professional princess?
I immediately called the onewoman company: All About Fun Entertainment, run by Jenny Parks, a graduate of VCU’s Painting & Printmaking and Art Education programs. She sounded adorable and trust-worthy, so I agreed to interview with her within the week. Bam. Pow. Jenny trained me how to make balloon animals and I soon morphed into Snow White, Cinderella, and Tinkerbell.
“Why, of course I do!” And I really, really did (wink).
I fill her princess niche with the change of a wig and dress, but when necessary, she casts me as a “funch*,” Mrs. Claus, and even one of Santa’s Elves (despite me being 5’8’’).Well, one semester of that and I know, even love, the drill. Preparing for a party always begins the same way. I hit Jenny’s house and pick up a giant wicker basket she’s stuffed with tools of the trade. First is a bag of balloons in every color from conjunctivitis to puke. I present the color range in these terms because when you regularly inhabit the World of Kids, you begin to perceive things in terms of bodily conditions the way children does (hungry, thirsty, gotta go potty, etc.). Without balloons, you’re screwed. Children go gaga for them, even if all you do is blow up a long, skinny, orange one, draw two eyes on it with a Sharpie, and call it a Balloon-makingworm. necessitates an air pump--or a “whoosh” because that’s the sound it makes. Attempting to fill up one of these balloons with nothing but your lips and a strong pair of lungs is foolish.Face paint is crucial, too. Some of the children are afraid of the paint; they don’t like the idea of looking in the mirror and not recognizing themselves. Most of them can’t wait for you to put a parrot fish on their forehead. Having a bottle of water, brushes, sponges, paper towels, and temporary tattoos might help, too. Ha.After I’ve picked up the goods, I call the parents to let them know I’m own the way. This always relieves fingernail-biting mothers of the worry that I’ll be late. (It’s almost always the mothers. The fathers often aren’t even around for the party.) I arrive ten minutes early, park a bit away from the house so the children don’t spot Tinkerbell in a Jeep Cherokee, and then burst onto the “set,” right on time.From there, it’s a matter of laughing, smiling, and truly becoming my
Kids are the first to spot a fake, but if you’re not being fake, they won’t spot you. When in doubt, I ask myself, What would Cinderella do?Here’s to many more instances of WWCD! * “Funch” stands for “fun character.” They wear bright, baggy clothing and silly hats but lack the wigs and face paint of clowns. According to Jenny, clowns scare too many children. S to Work
What started as a bedroom project in 2009 has become a four-piece explosion of noise pop/ dream punk that’s touring up and down the east coast. While Richmond may be their home, White Laces has been doing a pretty good job at making a name for themselves all over. The band is composed of guitar, vocals, drum, keyboard and bass, but sampling, loops and synthesizers produces sounds like they’re from a garage in space. (Check them out, you’ll see what I mean.)
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L: It gives us the ability to reach different audiences with different releases. We’re not pressing or selling thousands of records with a mega-corporation, so if we deal with small releases through our friends’ labels, it’s actually a bit easier to manage. We essentially tell a label that we’ll do a certain format with them (cassette, 7”, 12”, digital single) and then when we have the set of songs ready for that release or project, we send them over. It’s worked out incredibly well so far.
Christine Erickson
Currently. White Laces is affiliated with four record labels.
A: There was some apprehension about playing a third song. But we did, and it ended up being put on the B-side of the later tapes.
Listen to White Laces online and find out where they’re playing: whitelacesmusic.com ink 19
Photos by Molly Spell
Landis, Jimmy, Alex and Jay were busy touring over winter break. While on the road, I spoke with Landis and Alex, to learn a little bit about themselves.
A: Best was during the daytime when we were just kickin’ it, either at shows at Brooklyn Bowl or the rooftop cookout shindig that Jay’s friend put on. The worst was the drive back. I got a little carsick myself, especially when Landis was downing honey-buns. White Laces does not have a drug problem.
L: The best part about it is the relatively cliche combination of getting out of town, seeing friends, meeting new people, and playing loud music in front of complete strangers.- simple and satisfying. The worst would be the yawning gaps of time between cities that feel like an eternity to me because I get carsick when I read.
What you should know about White Laces:
WHITE LACES
The first time they ever played as a full band was live on WRIR L: It wasn’t so bad, really. Jimmy and I had been playing the songs together for months at that point, and I’ve played with Jay in bands since I was 12, so when we were winging it things were a lot more cohesive than they might have been otherwise. Either way, all four of us hadn’t been together in a room before that moment, so there was definitely some tension happening when they told us to start playing.
The band has been touring on and off for a few months.
L: As of now we’ve got a pretty cozy space, so our rehearsals consist of showing up one by one, poking around at our instruments and figure out what we’ve broken/ smashed/shorted/etc. and then kicking around pieces of songs. I wish there was more to say but I’d be up for meeting a band that has amazing practice stories. Maybe a band with access to a freight elevator and an escalating meth problem?Inthefuture expect a 7”, a split 10”, and a full-length recordand of course with more shows, videos, and whatever else these boys find the time to do.
I’m not really one to seek titles and fame. Those are certainly welcomed during the journey, but what is more important for me to remember is art is very spiritual, a form of self-discovery, and satisfaction for steps taken. My goal as an artist is to see how far I can push boundaries, cross them, come back, and see old landscapes with new eyes. Any advice for future photography students?
Featured Artist Lanvi interviewPhotographyNguyenbyChristineErickson Big White Elephant in the Room
I would have to say from my own personal experience, photography makes you generate so many emotions, thoughts, and ideas it will render you confused in the end. It enlightens you, it inspires you, it brings you down, it startles you, it pushes you, it pulls you in all directions, it gives you bruises, a sore body, treading you through the hot and cold, rain and shine, and so much more. But if you can wake up the next day and go through all those things again, you are on the right track.
How would you describe your work? This specific body of work that is being presented can be described as long exposure light-drawing photographs. All components of the images are conceived in camera, meaning the image was created without the help of Photoshop for composites or overlay. The purpose of using long exposures is to capture movement, energy, and ambient light; all those elements are rendered simultaneously. The aesthetic for this series is playful to the eyes, but contemplative to the mind concerning the content. What is the concept behind your work with long exposure? The title for this series is “Watching the Clock.” It started with countless, sleepless nights, tossing and turning, worrying and stress about the responsibilities and obligations of tomorrow. The titles are animal idioms, but human behaviors are also addressed within: stress about society, belonging and status, worries about uncontrollable troubles of tomorrow, overworked and burdened by responsibilities and unfinished tasks, unfortunate ailments, etc. With long exposure shots, I am able to capture movements of the nighttime, frustrated energy, the troubled un-rested mind and possible hallucinations that might occur. Major sources of inspiration?
I think what struck my curiosity to pursue and experiment with this technique, and photography in general, is being able to capture what cannot be seen with the naked eye. I am able to record not only colors and forms, but energy, proof of my location and the duration. What are your goals as an artist?
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Sick As A Dog The Great Escapist ink 21 arts & culture
The Social Network Sorkin surprised the masses (myself included) this past year by delivering a truly original cinematic experience in The Social Network. Based on Ben Mezrich’s work of nonfiction The Accidental Billionaires, the film follows the phenomenal story of renowned Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg in the dawning and wake of his triumphant empire; taking note of each legal hindrance and social dynamic which follows suit.
What truly makes The Social Network noteworthy cinema is its lead himself (played by Jesse Eisenberg), whose actions and interactions, whether true-to-life or not, seem (and captivatingly so) human in light of his often unsentimental behavior.
The film’s stark contrast of new West and old East throughout becomes tangible in this reissue, bringing the majesty and mysticism of India to a world which sees far too little of it. Black Swan Darren Aronofsky’s most recent effort is a visually striking, psychological thriller, which, like its characters themselves, portrays a world of madness, which all too often accompanies the facade of beauty. Natalie Portman plays Nina, a chaste ballerina who gains the role of both black and white swans in her ballet company’s production of Swan WhileLake.therole of the white swan comes naturally for Nina, her innocence proves to be a hindrance for her embodiment of the black swan, a role perhaps better understood by her rival Lily, played by Mila Kunis. Aronofsky examines the mental deterioration of Nina as she attempts to both outdo her competitors and herself, leading the young ballerina deep into a a world of confused reality and hallucination. Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the film is its rigorous application of sex into the story, which some might accuse of being unnecessary or in bad taste. Yet, from an artistic standpoint, it seems as if Aronofsky’s use of such contentious material truly aids the psychological transformation of Portman’s role and does more than just entice a male audience. Riddled with recurring motifs of color, light, and mood, Aronofsky has proven to be a refreshing auteur whose films will likely stand the test of time.
Thrilling from start to finish, director and screenwriter Debra Garnik portrays a world seemingly outside of time and untouched by the marvels of the twenty-first century, which is both refreshing and innovative for contemporary filmgoers. What really makes the film stand out, however, is the emotion which resonates upon the grit and grime constantly confronting the headstrong, selfless Ree, whose perseverance proves to be perhaps the greatest testament of human strength. Combined with the striking visual perspectives created by Garnik, Winter’s Bone might be the most intimate portrait of a world completely neglected by majority of its fellow countrymen.
Fincher does a great job of unveiling the mysterious Zuckerberg and the genius behind his innovation along the way; all the while managing to instill, in equal measure, both reasons to love and hate the twenty-something to a point of uncertainty which resonates among the viewer long after the film’s end. The Social Network should not only prove notable to its age for its subject material, but for its embodiment of the modern drama.
Film Review Charles Peck
The Darjeeling Limited (Criterion) Wes Anderson’s most recent live-action film, released in 2007, stars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman as three brothers on a quasi-spiritual journey through rural India via the Darjeeling Limited locomotive. Featuring Anderson’s classic family-tension infused humor and magnificent attention to detail in each setting, Darjeeling proves to be not only another Anderson classic, but a beautiful film whose recent Criterion treatment is both well-deserved and well done. The Criterion Collection edition features a new high-definition digital transfer approved by the director; the prelude to the film, entitled Hotel Chevalier, which features an eloquent lover’s quarrel between Schwartzman and Natalie Portman; audio commentary from Anderson and cowriters; and, perhaps most noteworthy, a featurette regarding the film’s fantastic music selection (Satyajit Ray and the Kinks) lead by Wes Anderson and fellow filmmaker James Ivory.
Winter’s Bone Winner of the coveted Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, Winter’s Bone follows seventeen year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence), sole caretaker of two younger siblings and a deranged mother in a dirt poor town in the Ozarks. After learning that her meth-making, fugitive father has posted their home and land as collateral for his bail, Ree is forced to track him down amidst the dangerous Ozark community in an attempt to save what little possessions they have.
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Another author I would have missed if it weren’t for the book club, Lorrie Moore has a voice that shines through the cluttered mass of contemporary literature. Among several other well received short story collections and novels, Birds of America is one of her most celebrated. While I often find it difficult to discuss a collection of short stories, these twelve in particular have a great cohesiveness. The downtrodden characters in this collection all seem to have some sort of melancholic restlessness in which they are unable to break from the state of inertia they find their lives in. Lorrie Moore has the grace and wit to present seemingly mundane situations in a manner that is both heartbreaking and thought provoking, much like Raymond Carver. What sets her apart from the multitude of minimalist short story writers is that she manages to bring a sort of inventive dark humor to the table. Highly recommended.
Gene Stroman to be one of the greatest books to come out of the 20th Century (also one of my all-time favorites), The Master and Margarita is a great satire of power and corruption and an analysis of good and evil. A great and enjoyable read even on the surface, this book could be read over and over and should be discussed for the sheer amount of allegory and symbolism Bulgakov so masterfully created.
Birds of America: Stories Lorrie Moore
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Raymond Carver, then Where I’m Calling From is the perfect place to begin. The last collection to be published before his abrupt death in ’88, Where I’m Calling From contains 38 brilliantly simplistic, contemplative, and downright sorrowful stories about people just like you and me. Carver had a keen consciousness for the misery found in ordinary situations and a great skill for translating it into concise packages, much like Hemingway. This collection contains many of Carver’s greatest stories from the breadth of his career, including the piece from which the book was named and the memorable What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. The content is easily identifiable, even if you’re not a drinker or a fisherman. If you enjoy his short fiction, do yourself a favor and check out his poetry, which unfortunately goes largely unnoticed and, in my opinion, lives up to the acclaim of his stories.
Literature Recommendations
If you’re unfamiliar with modern short story master
Where I’m Calling From: Selected Stories Raymond Carver
The Dharma Bums Jack Kerouac If you’re reading this review, then without doubt you’ve heard of Jack Kerouac, the coolest cat ever to lay a story onto the page. A Father of the Beat Movement, Kerouac is best known for his monumental On the Road, which is allegedly one of the most important American novels of the Century. Dharma Bums, like most of Kerouac’s oeuvre is autobiographical, which is one of the many reasons his work is so compelling. This story in particular is about his time in the mid-50s, traveling the West Coast and taking up interest in spiritual enlightenment through Eastern Philosophy. Along the way, he meets a handful of interesting characters, including the unforgettable Japhy Ryder, Jack’s poet friend and Buddhist teacher. This book is an introduction to early hipster culture, to eastern philosophy, to the rucksack wanderer. It’s poetry, it’s jazz, and best of all it’s a very enjoyable, light read.
The Master and Margarita Mikhail Bulgakov The basic plot of Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita is pretty much all you’ll need to be convinced that reading this book is worthwhile: Satan and his retinue (including his vodka-loving cat Behemoth) decide to drop in and turn the Soviet Union upside down. Bulgakov parallels the story of a great writer and his beloved Margarita in Soviet Russia with a reinvented tale of Jesus and Pontius Pilate. Said
Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro Kazuo Ishiguro is one of Britain’s most prized contemporary authors. You may recognize the name from his heralded Remains of the Day, which eventually was made into a movie starring Anthony Hopkins. Without giving too much away, Never Let Me Go takes place in a dystopian society where scientific capacity has improved to a point where ethics and morality must be completely reconceived. The story follows three classmates at Hailsham boarding school, where students’ futures are already set out for them. Ishiguro’s story tracks the difficult relationships between his characters, painting a delicate and heartbreaking portrait of the human condition. This was a perfect pick for the book club as it allowed for a discussion not only about the book but also about human nature altogether. Also adapted into a movie starring Keira Knightley (read the book first!), this masterpiece is highly recommended as a book with a huge twist that will really make you think.
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